A80611:293
Christ the fountain of lifeChrist the fountaine of life
Christ the fountain of life: or, Sundry choice sermons on part of the fifth chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.Christ the fountaine of life: or, Sundry choyce sermons on part of the fift chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.
London: printed by Robert Ibbitson, 1651
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, that we have some respect to the Word of God for our warrant.
Thirdly, that in all we do, we have respect to the glory of God in all our performances, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Gal. 2.20. The just shall live by his own faith. As if he should say, he no further puts forth a work of spiritual life, further then he denies his own ability, so far he lives by his faith, and depends upon Christ for supply in every duty he goes about, whether he pray, preach, or receive Sacraments, or be diligent in his Calling, or in his carriage towards any that stand in relation to him, so far as we are sensible of our own failings, and therefore do depend upon him for strength; these are not such as come from common graces,1 but do accompany sanctification to life. It is true, if men be invested with common gifts, they may be acted and moved to many duties in their places, and put out very sweet affections to the duty, and yet do it rather out of the power of their own strength, and rather for their own glory and applause, then from any dependence upon Christ; so that spiritual life hath the Lord Jesus for its root, and the Word for its warrant, and for its rule to walk by, Psal. 119.6. Then shall I never be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandments. All such actions will be acceptable to God, and serviceable to men; and also aim at the glory of God for the end, that is, their last end, and all such other ends as are sub-ordinate unto that, the building up of Gods Kingdom, Zach. 7.5, 6, 7. When ye did eat, did ye it unto me, saith the Lord? nay, did ye not do it to your selves? Hos. 7.14. They have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds. Did you desire in your prayers to bring in any service to God, to tend to his honour and glory? And did you debase your own souls before him, that you might find help from him? Or, did you not this to your selves, or for your own deliverance, and redemption, and freedom from such bondage and other miseries that lay upon you, so that if God see men go about such duties merely for themselves, they are wanting of this spiritual life. So then, do but lay these things together,